The steam train travels slowly through green landscapes and unspoilt villages and reaches unique and characteristic spots of the Garfagnana. Places that are still authentic and have not yet forgotten their past, maintaining their traditions intact. On December 6 the steam locomotive, with its antique decorated coaches, will stop in Castelnuovo Garfagnana. The city of chestnuts is promoting the local products. A festival devoted entirely to the taste of Garfagnana cuisine and local production. A variety of certified origin delicacies will be available for tasting, like castagnaccio, chestnut flour and pearl barley of Garfagnana.
The richness of this green oasis in the heart of Garfagnana is not only found in gastronomy but also in the variety of possible activities to be carried out. You can quickly reach the most interesting places of the Serchio Valley, hiking or horseback riding, surrounded by nature trails perfect for mountain biking.
The train departs from Livorno passing by Pisa and Lucca. For informations and reservations contact info@pontineltempo.it or visit www.pontineltempo.it
This is also the perfect occasion to visit the town of Castlenuovo. Here are the places to visit:
The fortress and the walls
The original building dates back to the Eleventh century, but today substantially is a Renaissance building due to continued restructuring and adjustments in the course of centuries. During the last World War the building, like the whole city, suffered serious damages. The many post-war restorations have made various changes to the structure.
The Cathedral
Its origins date back to the Tenth century but the present building was rebuilt on the original Romanesque church in the early 16th century and underwent further changes in the Baroque period. Inside it preserves valuable works of art. The altarpiece of S. Joseph, made using the Della Robbia glazed terracotta technique, the wooden sculpture of the Holy Crucifix dating from the Fifteenth century, popularly known as the Black Christ, and the painting of Michele di Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio depicting the Madonna with Saints are the main works.
Montalfonso Fortress
It was built towards the end of the 16th century by Duke Alfonso to give the city a safe refuge and a defense in case of attack and siege. It is formed by a long wall with seven bastions placed asymmetrically to adapt to the soil characteristics. Around the hill where the fortress of Monte Alfonso was built you can follow the path of Ariosto for an excursion in nature around the fort.
Convent of St. Joseph
Its construction begun in 1632 by order of Alfonso III, duke of Modena, who four years earlier had abdicated to enter the Capuchin order of monks, where he died in 1644. The tomb inside the church remembers the historical figure.
Archaeological Museum
The museum provides quite a vast amount of documentation that focuses on two periods of particular significance for Garfagnana: the Mesolithic and the Iron Age.
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